Dragon Bones

LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER • The acclaimed author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan combines ancient myth with contemporary anxieties of religious fanaticism and terrorism to tell “an absorbing story” (The San Diego Union-Tribune) of love, betrayal, history, ecology, greed—and gory murder.

“Stays with you long after the conventional thriller is forgotten.”—The Washington Post Book World

Liu Hulan, an inspector for China’s Ministry of Public Security, and her American husband, attorney David Stark, are traveling to one of the most beautiful places on earth: the Three Gorges, where China’s biggest engineering project since the building of the Great Wall is taking place.

Hulan is there to investigate the death of an American archaeologist found floating in the waters of the Yangzi River; David is trying to figure out who’s stealing artifacts from Site 518 and selling them on the international art market. Haunting the investigation is the possibility that an artifact has been found that could very well alter the history of civilization. Together, David and Hulan unearth more scandals, confront more murderers, and revive tragic memories that shake their tormented marriage to its core as they struggle to solve a mystery as big, unruly, and complex as China itself.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs